Trending this week: Senate passes $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan and more on new items from Starbucks, Buffalo Wild Wings and Sonic Drive-In

Senate passes $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan with $28.6 billion in restaurant relief; bill now heads back to the House

Tim Graham / Stone

The House of Representatives is expected to pass the amended bill — minus the $15 minimum wage raise — sometime this week.

Chief culinary officer Paul Griffin helps BurgerFi adjust to the times

The former fine-dining chef celebrates 10 years at the better burger chain.

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Texas will lift all COVID capacity limits, mask mandates on March 10

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Gov. Greg Abbott said Lone Star State must open 100% to ‘restore livelihoods and normalcy’; Mississippi also lifts restrictions.

Texas Restaurant Association updates COVID-19 mask guidelines

SERGIO FLORES / Contributor / AFP

Gov. Greg Abbott orders lifting of statewide face-covering mandate on Wednesday.

Menu Tracker: New items from Starbucks, Buffalo Wild Wings and Sonic Drive-In

Plus additions at Baja Fresh, Bareburger, Bartaco, Baskin-Robbins, Chuck E. Cheese, Cotton Patch Café, Dutch Bros Coffee, El Pollo Loco, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Insomnia Cookies, Jamba Juice, Jinya Ramen Bar, Mooyah Burgers, Fries and Shakes, O’Charley’s , Peet’s Coffee, Philly’s Best, Pizza Guys , PJ’s Coffee, Rapid Fired Pizza, Robeks, Rōti, Sonny’s BBQ, Tacodeli, TooJay’s Deli, Torchy’s Tacos, Velvet Taco, Wienerschnitzel and Hamburger Stand, Yogurtland and Zaxby’s.

New CDC study finds that on-premises restaurant dining leads to rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths

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A CDC study found a correlation between allowing on-premises dining and an increase in COVID-19 rates and deaths in 2020, and that mask mandates led to a decline in both.

The CDC warns against a fourth coronavirus wave as Texas, San Francisco, Chicago and more loosen COVID-19 restrictions

JIM WATSON / Contributor / AFP

Texas opened up restaurants completely and ditched mask restrictions, Massachusetts removed all indoor dining restrictions while Chicago and San Francisco increased capacity.

Freddy’s Frozen Custard sold to Thompson Street Capital Partners

Missouri-based private-equity firm acquires fast-casual steakburger concept.

Senate passes $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan with $28.6 billion in restaurant relief; bill now heads back to the House

Tim Graham / Stone

The House of Representatives is expected to pass the amended bill — minus the $15 minimum wage raise — sometime this week.